Gee McGeeGee McGee is not bashful or humble.
A slam-dunk contest is not on the schedule for the Blue-Gold scrimmage tonight in McKenzie Area. But if one breaks out during layups, well, McGee thinks he'd top his teammates.
"If I'm in it, I'm going to win it," the freshman guard said. "I get higher than the whole team, but I don't be showing it because I don't want to make them mad.
"Seriously, this is a new experience and I've never done anything like this. I don't know how I'm going to feel."
Other Mocs figured that freshman Casey Jones would win a dunk contest, including freshman Eric Robertson, who said he'd prefer to compete in a 3-point shootout.
No matter what spontaneous activities may break out in McKenzie Arena, the Blue-Gold event will be the first time UTC supporters will get to see five freshmen who are the future of the program. The Lady Mocs will be on display as well.
"I hope people are curious about our young kids, because it would be nice to have people out and watch us and the women go up and down the floor," Mocs coach John Shulman said. "This is a big night because this is the only time we'll be in front of people before we open."
The exhibition, which begins at 7 p.m. and has free admission, is scheduled to include a 10-minute scrimmage for the men's team, a 10-minute running-clock scrimmage for the Lady Mocs and another 10-minute session from Shulman's squad.
There may not be as many people in the seats tonight as if a Southern Conference team were opposing UTC, but the lights will be on and folks will be cheering -- and evaluating the 2012-13 teams.
"I'm very excited to play in front of a crowd," freshman point guard Farad Cobb said. "I want to execute, do good, show a little speed, and whatever team I'm on to win because we're competitive."
Both teams have regular practices scheduled for this afternoon, then a break before the public display. UTC officials said there will be several promotion events and plenty of give-aways in the event, presented by Praters Flooring, including a costume contest for students.
"I want them to have a little fun -- actually, a lot of fun," Shulman said. "I'm not going to kill them in practice because I want them to have some legs for the night."
Contact David Uchiyama at duchiyama@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6484. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/UchiyamaCTFP.